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U.S. Continues to Set Bar on Pesticide Safety

EPA is proposing to cancel all uses of the pesticide carbofuran and to revoke the associated tolerances (legal residue limits on food). The agency announced today its conclusion that there are considerable risks associated with carbofuran in food and drinking water, risks to pesticide applicators and risks to birds that are exposed in treated fields.

"Whether planting crops, de-bugging a home, working in the garden, or just sitting down at the dinner table, Americans everywhere can now be assured the pesticides used in the U.S. meet the highest health standards in the world," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By maintaining the highest ethical and scientific standards in its pesticide review, EPA and the Bush Administration have planted the seeds to yield healthier lives for generations of American families."

"EPA is committed to moving America away from high-risk pesticides to newer, safer alternatives that deliver results, while ensuring the public, pesticide applicators, and the environment are protected," said Jim Gulliford, assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances at EPA.

EPA is proposing to immediately cancel the majority of carbofuran uses. A four-year phase-out is being proposed for six, minor agricultural uses, which will provide time to find effective alternatives.

The decisions on carbofuran and lindane are the latest accomplishments achieved under the Food Quality Protection Act. Over the last decade, EPA significantly restricted uses of formerly widely used pesticides such as: Chlorpyrifos (Dursban), CCA (Copper Chromated Arsenate), DDVP, Diazinon, Methyl Parathion and others.

Americans today can be confident that pesticides used in this country continue to meet the highest health and safety standards in the world.

Source: U.S. EPA